Louisiana retailers often overstock shelves or stack boxes far higher than is safe. Falling boxes, collapsing displays, and unstable shelving send thousands of shoppers to hospitals every year. If merchandise fell and struck you or a loved one, you may have a valid injury claim. Injuries in Louisiana stores are usually preventable. Careless merchandise stocking, unstable displays, or workers’ failure to warn customers about dangerous aisles leads to these incidents.
This guide breaks down how liability works, what evidence matters most, and how Mike Brandner Law helps victims of injuries in Louisiana stores Get JU$TICE.
Why Falling Merchandise Causes Serious Injuries in Louisiana Stores
Most shoppers focus on items at eye level, not what’s stacked overhead. In many Louisiana stores, merchandise is piled high to save floor space or increase stocking. When merchandise falls, it can lead to severe injuries: head trauma, broken bones, deep bruising, or spinal issues. These injuries in Louisiana stores often result from rushed stocking practices, unstable shelving, or insufficient employee oversight.
Common Causes of Falling Merchandise
Falling merchandise almost always has an identifiable cause. Some of the most frequent include:
1. Overloaded or Unstable Shelves
Stacking items too high or too close to edges makes shelving unstable.
2. Poorly Secured Displays
Seasonal or promotional setups may not be anchored or balanced correctly.
3. Improper Stocking
Boxes placed unevenly can topple unexpectedly.
4. Customer Interference
Another customer can accidentally cause these injuries if they knock over a display. The store may still be liable if employees failed to monitor or warn of unsafe conditions.
5. Floor Vibrations or Forklifts
Movement from stocking equipment or heavy foot traffic can dislodge merchandise, causing it to fall.
Legal Duty of Louisiana Merchants
Under La. R.S. 9:2800.6, Louisiana merchants must keep aisles reasonably safe and prevent foreseeable hazards. That responsibility includes how shelves are stocked, how displays are maintained, and whether employees are properly monitoring dangerous areas.
A hazard becomes “foreseeable” when store employees knew or should have known about it. If a merchant ignores unstable shelving or overloads displays, they may be responsible for resulting injuries in Louisiana stores.
Evidence That Proves Negligence
To file a successful personal injury claim, you must prove the incident was caused by negligence. To do this, your Louisiana personal injury lawyer will help you secure evidence, including:
- Surveillance footage of the fall or stocking practices
- Stocking logs or employee task records
- Witness statements from shoppers or staff
- Photos of collapsed displays or unsafe merchandise arrangements
This evidence helps demonstrate when a store failed to follow basic safety procedures.
Why Time Matters in Injuries in Louisiana Stores
Time is crucial after a falling-merchandise injury. Many retailers keep surveillance video for only about 14 days before their systems automatically overwrite it, and once that footage is gone, it cannot be recovered. Reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible gives you the best chance to preserve important evidence—surveillance video, witness statements, and display conditions—before anything disappears or is changed.
Under Louisiana law, there is a statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits, including fallen merchandise claims. Any personal injury case filed after July 1, 2024, has a two-year filing deadline. Cases arising before that date follow the previous one-year statute.
Compensation Available for Injuries in Louisiana Stores
If falling merchandise injured you, you may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or diminished earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
Because these injuries often lead to long-term consequences, understanding the true value of your claim is essential before accepting any settlement.
Call Mike Brandner Law for Fallen Merchandise Cases
Retailers often deny responsibility or insist the accident was unpredictable. At Mike Brandner Law, we act fast to secure surveillance footage before it’s overwritten, document unstable or overloaded displays, speak with witnesses and employees who saw what happened, review internal safety practices, and push back against insurers who may try to minimize your claim.
While you focus on medical care and recovery, we focus on proving fault and protecting your rights. When merchandise falls and causes harm, our team knows how to Get JU$TICE.
Contact a New Orleans personal injury lawyer from Mike Brandner Law for a free consultation. We serve clients in cities located in parishes throughout Louisiana, to include Metairie, Hammond, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge. Call (504) 345-1111 to get started. You can also reach us via LiveChat or through our secure online contact form.